Adjustable Volume Rigid Container

ABSTRACT

Improvements in an adjustable volume rigid sided container are disclosed. The adjustable volume allows the container to reduce or eliminate air from within the container. As users consume a portion of the content of the container they reduce the internal volume. The container has an opening for delivery or pouring spout for delivery of the product and a cap that accommodates pouring, venting and close condition. The container has an adjustable connection between the container components. 
     As the internal volume is adjusted the container collapses into a smaller size. Preferably the first component is larger diameter than a second component that is a smaller diameter and slides onto the larger first component. The components can be permanently sealed and disposable or can be designed to be completely taken apart where they can be placed into a dishwasher to be washed and or sterilized for future re-use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/830,641 filed Jun. 3, 2013 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in a rigid walled container which houses perishable liquids. More particularly, the present liquid container is constructed to reduce the internal volume of the container to eliminate exposure of the contents to air. The container is constructed from two or more rigid components that move into each other to reduce the internal volume.

2. Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The need to preserve a once opened container of wine or other perishable liquid is important and valuable. For many fluids, air can cause deterioration of the fluid over time. The time can be hours, days, weeks or longer. This is especially important based upon the value of the fluid. A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,311 issued Apr. 24, 2001 to Claude R Litto and US publication 2004/0081739 that was published on Apr. 29, 2004 to Gary Sibley et al disclose a container contents preservation system. After consumption of some of the contents of the container, a user places beads or other components into the container to raise the fluid level within the container and thereby reducing the amount of air within the container. This patent and publication does not reduce the size and volume of the container, they just displace the fluid within the container.

US publication 2003/0102311 that was published on Jun. 5, 2003 to Jamed R. Brady, US publication 2007/0039977 that was published on Feb. 22, 2007 for Blake F. Donaldson and US publication 2011/0185922 that was published on Aug. 4, 2011 for Barry Maxwell Rees disclose a system that places a movable cover over the top surface of the fluid within the container. These publications do not displace the liquid volume of the container or significantly alter the internal volume of the container. They simply place a “skin” over the top of the fluid to prevent interaction with any air that is within the container.

There are a large number of one-piece flexible sided containers that collapse to changes the internal volume. U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,821 was issued on Sep. 28, 1966 to J. Mullan and U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,437 that issued on May 16, 2000 to Francesco Mascitelli both disclose pleated containers that reduce in size and internal volume as the fluid within the container is dispensed. Neither of these patents discloses a rigid sided invention where the container is made from two or more parts and slide within each other to alter the internal volume.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,311 issued on Apr. 24, 2001 to Claud R. Litto, and US publication US2004/0182888 that was published on Sep. 23, 2004 to Paul R. Hickert disclose hard sided container where an internal bladder is expanded to fill the void that is created when the fluid within the container is displaced. Neither of these documents discloses movement of one component within another to change the volume of the container. These products are also difficult to clean because the bladder must be removed from within the hard sided container.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,217 issued on Aug. 21, 1962 to W. Mackey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,810 that was issued on Feb. 21, 1989 to Albert S. Czetweertynski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,971 was issued on Dec. 20, 1994 to Raoul Laffy et., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,018 was issued on Nov. 30, 2004 to Christopher Eaddy et al., each disclose a ridged sided container where a piston moves up from a bottom position to dispense product from the top of the container to prevent air from entering into the container. While these products prevent air from interacting with the contents of the inside of the container the size of the container remains essentially the same. The cleaning of the components is also difficult due to the nature of construction of the components.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,732,101 issued on Feb. 11, 1953 to F. Söhn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,977 issued on Jan. 5, 1982 to Ludwig Sigmund et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,792 issued on Oct. 12, 1993 to Chung-Shan Sheen, US Publication 2008/0170963 was published on Jul. 17, 2008 to Clifford Cantrell and US Publication 2011/0114592 was published on May 19, 2011 to Mark Garrison all disclose a rigid sided container where a piston moves from an elevated position to a lowered position and essentially pushes the fluid that is within the container out of an opening. While these products prevent air from interacting with the contents of the inside of the container the size of the container remains essentially the same. The cleaning of the components is also difficult due to the nature of construction of the components.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,538 issued on May 13, 1958 to J. Surgue et al and disclose a two part rigid sided container where the two rigid components slide within each other to reduce the internal volume of the container. This product is designed to quickly fill surgical gloves to check for leaks prior to use. While this product collapses to reduce the internal volume, in the collapsed position there still is a large amount of volume that still remains within the container. The operator cannot adjust the volume of the container to several different preferable volumes and to the exact desirable volume each and every time as it is needed.

What is needed is a rigid sided container where the internal volume of the container is decreased to eliminate air from within the container. The proposed liquid container provides a novel solution to this problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the adjustable volume rigid sided container to have an adjustable volume. The adjustable volume allows the container to eliminate air from within the container. Air can affect the flavor of beverages such as wine or other products that degrade from exposure to the air. The container can be filled with different fluids, including but not limited to wine, spirits, water, carbonated beverage, oil, medicine, cosmetic products, liquid chemicals and juice. As a user consumes some of the contents from inside of the container they reduce the internal volume. As the internal volume is decreased air is pushed out of the container. The container has an opening for pouring or delivery of the product within the container. The dispensing or pouring opening is separate from the adjustable connection. Filling the container with carbonated beverages is achieved by maintaining partial pressure of Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the closed air space within the bottle. Following Henry's law, the partial pressure is dependent upon temperature and on the concentration or amount of CO2. If the head space inside the container is small, only a relatively small amount of dissolved CO2 comes out of solution to build up the equilibrium partial pressure of gaseous CO2. If the head space above the liquid within the container is large, more CO2 comes out of solution to build up that characteristic partial pressure. So, most of the CO2 comes out of solution until equilibrium is reached with the very small amount of CO2 present in the liquid, resulting in a flat drink. The adjustable volume allows the container to decrease or eliminate the head space from within the container, and keep the carbonated beverages carbonated for a longer time.

It is an object of the adjustable volume rigid sided container to have a sliding connection between the container components. The sliding adjustment creates a method to alter the internal volume of the container. The container uses rigid wall components to adjust the volume. As the internal volume is adjusted the container collapses into a smaller size. At the normal or full condition the container has a preferable volume of about ¾ of a liter, but the volume can be made to nearly any desirable internal volume from a few milliliters to several litters. At the minimum volume the container has a preferable volume of about a glass of wine, and can be altered to accommodate any desired volume for the interior of the container.

It is another object of the adjustable volume rigid sided container to be constructed from two or more rigid components. Preferably the first component is a bottom that is larger than the second component that is a smaller diameter top that slides onto the bottom component. While the first component is described as being a larger bottle where the smaller top transitions into the larger bottom, it is equally contemplated that the first bottom component can be smaller in diameter than a larger top housing component where the larger top component transitions over the smaller bottom housing. A gasket seals the components together and both prevent leakage and allow separate components to slide along a sealing surface or surfaces. As previously disclosed the top component has an opening for pouring or delivery of the product to dispense the contents from within the container to pour into a glass or to dispense the contents as desired.

It is still another object of the adjustable volume rigid sided container to be cleanable. The components and seals are designed to be completely taken apart where they can be placed into a dishwasher to allow all sides of the pieces to be washed and or sterilized for future re-use. After cleaning the container can be filled with new wine or other liquids, or wine can be decentered from a non-adjustable container into the adjustable volume rigid sided container. It can also be designed in a way that the components and seals are inseparable if it is preferable by the user. In other word the seals and the components can be detachable or fixed. The container can be for one time use (disposable) or can be reused.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a perspective assembled view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container.

FIG. 3 shows a first partial assembly of the adjustable volume rigid sided container.

FIG. 4 shows a second partial assembly of the adjustable volume rigid sided container.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container in the full condition.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container in the collapsed condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective assembled view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container 19. The container has a size and shape that is similar to a generic wine container. While the size and shape may be similar to a wine container, different sizes and shape are contemplated including more sides. The preferred embodiment has an internal volume of 750 ml, but larger or smaller internal volume containers are contemplated and provide equivalent functionality. The container 19 has a lower housing or component 20 and a top or upper component 21. The top cap has two parts 22 and 23, and it covers the pouring spout on the upper component 21. Between the lower housing component 20 and the upper component 21 a gasket seal creates a water proof seal between the two or more housing components. The upper component slides into the lower housing component 20 to reduce the internal volume of the container.

In this preferred embodiment the container has a two parts cap constructed with an upper part 23 and a lower part 22 that cover a pouring spout. The upper part of the upper cap 23 has a flange. The purpose of the flange is to prevent the out coming liquid from spurting out over the sides of the flange. The liquid that comes out of the valve on the upper cap 23 will contact the inside surface of the flange and pours into the reservoir on the top of the upper cap 23. The top cap 30 is a removable part that secures to the upper cap 23 to prevent fluid from splashing out of the central opening in the upper cap 23. A valve exists between the upper part 23 and a lower part 22. The lower part 22 has indicia that indicate a lock 71 (closed) and an unlocked 72 (open) position with an indicator 70. There is a third or open position 74 that allows for fluid to be poured from the container. These indicia allow a user to know if the container 19 is opened, partially open or closed. In the preferred embodiment the upper and lower components are made from clear or colored glass, but can also be made from other materials that provide adequate equivalent or superior performance. The upper part 22 can be made from a variety of materials but generally from metal or plastic. It is also contemplated that the upper part 22 can be made from a thermal insulating material that helps to keep liquid within the container 19 cold. Markings 73 are visible through a sleeve that covers the bottom cylinder and indicate the amount of fluid that is remaining within the container 19. The interaction between the components of the container 19 are shown and described in more detail in the proceeding figures.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container, FIG. 3 shows a first partial assembly of the adjustable volume rigid sided container and FIG. 4 shows a second partial assembly of the adjustable volume rigid sided container 19. The bottom or lower housing is covered with a sleeve that engages onto the bottom cylinder 60. The bottom cylinder 60 is preferably fabricated from a transparent material where the fluid within the bottom cylinder 60 is visible through windows 63 and 64 located on opposing sides of the sleeve. The windows 63 and 64 have indicia that indicate the amount of fluid within the container. This indicia can also be indicated on the bottom cylinder 60. The bottom 65 of the sleeve can have a cushion to reduce movement of the container on a table and can further reduce potential damage of the bottom 65 of the container on a table or other surface. The top 62 of the sleeve essentially mates with the threads 61 on the bottom cylinder 60. Wine or other fluid can be poured into the bottom cylinder. The threads 61 on the bottom cylinder 60 are secured with internal threads in the middle dial 32. The threads 61 can be a single pitch, but in the preferred embodiment the threads 61 are a two three or four thread pitch that allows the middle dial 32 to be secured to the threads 61 in the bottom cylinder 60. The plunger 40 fits inside of the bottom cylinder 60 where the plunger 40 is secured with the middle dial 32 on the threads 61.

The plunger 40 consists of two major components and a seal 50. The configuration of the seal 50 can take various contemplated configurations. Four contemplated versions are shown and include, but are not limited to a single seal 54, and double mid lip seal 53, a double lip version 52 with the lips at the ends of the seal and a three seal version 51. While different versions of the sealing are shown, the seal 50 prevents movement of fluid around the inside walls of the bottom cylinder 60. The seal 50 engages onto the lower flange 44 of the inner top cylinder 41. The inside of the inner top cylinder 41 is hollow where fluid from within the bottom cylinder 60 pushes through the inside of the top cylinder 41. The inner top cylinder 41 has an upper shoulder 42 that centers the inner top cylinder within the outer top cylinder 45. An outer top cylinder 45 surrounds the inner top cylinder 41 to provide a bearing that slides through the crush ring 28. The top 47 of the inner top cylinder 41 protrude through a top flange 46 of the outer top cylinder 45. The top portion of the inner top cylinder 41 has threads 43 that engage into threads in the upper cap 22.

The outer top cylinder 45 passes through the inner sleeve 29 where the outer top cylinder 45 is locked in place to seal with the crush ring 28. The outer top cylinder 45 further passes through the inside of the middle dial 32. A flat O-ring 27 seals the top 47 of the inner top cylinder 40 with the upper cap 22. While the seal 27 is shown as a flat O-ring, it can also be a round O-ring or a conical washer that spans inside the interior of the upper cap 22. The bottom 25 of the cap 23 is secured to the threads 26 in the cap 22. The cap 23 has an annular lip that creates an omni-directional collection reservoir for pouring fluid from within said container. A membrane 31 is a one-way valve that prevents fluid from splashing through the top opening. At the center of the cap 22 a venting opening is located. In the preferred embodiment the inside diameter of the inner top cylinder 41 that is over 10% smaller than the inside diameter of the bottom cylinder 60. Samples have been made where the cross-sectional ratio is 10% or less to optimize the volume reduction.

To dispense fluid from inside of the container, a user partially unscrews the upper cap 23 from the lower cap 22 to create an enlarged opening. The enlarged opening equates to the opening that might be found in a wine bottle. The upper cap 23 and the lower cap 22 are partially closed to leave the container slightly opened to allow air to be vented from the container. Once all of the air has been vented the upper cap 23 and the lower cap 22 are tightened onto each other to create an air tight container without air within the container. It is also contemplated that a user can remove the caps 22 & 23 and then pour fluid through the top cylinder opening threads 43. This is also the method used to pour liquid into the container or to add liquid to the inside of the container. The upper cap 23 can be partially opened to vent air from within the container. In operation, after pouring fluid from with the container, the upper seal 23 is opened and the top cylinder 40 is pushed into the bottom cylinder 60 until fluid is visible in the upper reservoir of the upper cap 23. The inner cylinder 40 can then be slightly withdrawn to allow the fluid to drain into the container, or the upper cap 23 can be closed to ensure that no air exists inside of the container.

When the components of the container are assembled the upper assembly is set into the lower assembly, as being shown in FIG. 4. The middle dial 32 is threaded onto the bottom cylinder 60 threads 61. The cap 22 is threaded onto the threads 43 on the inner top cylinder. Cross-sections of the container are shown in the extended and in the collapsed configuration are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container in the full condition, and FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the adjustable volume rigid sided container in the collapsed condition. The bottom portion or housing shows the threads 61 extending down a portion of the neck of the bottom cylinder 60. The middle dial 32 is shown engaged in the threads 61 of the lower housing or bottom cylinder 60. The crush ring gaskets 28 is seating in a recess to lock and or seal the top cylinder with the bottom cylinder. The outer top cylinder 45 further passes through the inside of the middle dial 32 with a sliding locking element. A flat O-ring 27 seals the top threads 43 of the top cylinder 40 with the cap 22. The bottom 25 of the cap 23 is secured to the upper threads 26 on cap 22.

A venting and pouring opening is created by caps 22 and 23 that passes around the upper cap. A top cap 30 has side openings to allow fluid to pour from under the top cap 30. The upper cap 23 is also configured to allow fluid to flow back into the container through the side openings in the top cap 30. The upper cap 23 can be partially opened to vent air from within the container. The upper cap 23 can be further opened to allow fluid to be poured from the container. In operation, after pouring fluid from with the container, the upper cap 23 is partially opened and the top cylinder 40 is pushed into the bottom cylinder 60 until fluid is visible in the upper cap 23. The inner cylinder 40 can then be slightly withdrawn to allow the fluid to drain into the container, or the upper cap 23 can be closed to ensure that no air exists inside of the container.

The container can be disassembled to provide for cleaning of the components. It is further contemplated that parts, such as seals, are replaceable. In the preferred embodiment the components are made of plastic, rubber or equivalent material(s) material. It is further contemplated that some of the materials can be made from metals such as, but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel. It is further contemplated that some of the components can be made from glass or crystal depending upon the market where the container is being sold. In another contemplated embodiment an aerator can be included into the container to aerator wine being decanted from the container.

Thus, specific embodiments of an adjustable volume rigid sided container have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. 

1. An adjustable volume rigid sided container comprising: an essentially rigid sided first component that is a bottom housing; a second essentially rigid sided component configured to fit at least partially into said first component; a sealing connection between said first component and said second component, said second component further including a third component having an operable sealable dispensing opening; said operable sealable dispensing opening configures as a collection reservoir to collect at least some fluid that flows out of said operable seal, and said collection reservoir allows said fluid to drain back into said adjustable volume rigid sided container.
 2. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 that further includes an adjustable connection between said first component and said second component.
 3. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 2 wherein said adjustable connection is an elastomeric seal.
 4. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said container can has at least two housing parts that slide into each other to eliminate air from within said at least two housing parts.
 5. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein operable sealable dispensing opening has at least three positions including closed, partially opened and open.
 6. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said first component further includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder.
 7. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said second component further includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder.
 8. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein adjustable volume rigid sided container further includes indicia that indicates an amount of fluid remaining within said adjustable volume rigid sided container.
 9. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said second component has an inside diameter that is over 10% smaller than an inside diameter of said first component.
 10. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said second component has a cross-sectional area that is over 10% smaller than a cross-sectional area of said first component.
 11. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said first component allows a visible indicator of a condition of a fluid within said first and second component.
 12. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 11 wherein said condition is selected from a group consisting of quantity, color, opacity, capacity and quality.
 13. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 11 wherein said visible indicator is with indicia markings on said first component.
 14. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said container is fillable with a fluid.
 15. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 14 wherein said fluid is selected from a group consisting of wine, spirits, water, carbonated beverage, oil, medicine, cosmetic product, liquid chemicals and juice.
 16. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said first component and said second component are rigidly lockable together at different internal volume levels.
 17. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said container further includes a sealable cap that caps said collection reservoir.
 18. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said collection reservoir allows a visible indicator that air within said container has been exhausted.
 19. The adjustable volume rigid sided container according to claim 1 wherein said reservoir provides omni-directional pouring of fluid from within said container. 